Fork truck spreader for cargo containers

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a longitudinally extendable spreader which is constructed for receiving and being thus connected with the fork of a fork-lift carrier at a level within the spreader just in the clear of the top of a container interlocked with the spreader. The spreader is constructed in one portion directly supported by the carrier and another turntable portion pivotally carried on the first portion to permit angular adjustments of the load about a vertical axis.

United States Patent 1191 [111 3,863,970 Gottlieb et al. Feb. 4, 1975 FORK TRUCK SPREADER FOR CARGO 3,552,557 1/1971 Green 214/620 CONTAINERS 3,627,370 12/1971 Whiteman et al. 294/81 SF X 3,688,933 9/1972 Rumell 294/67 D X [75] Inventors: Carl R. Gottlleb, Moblle, Ala.; Jack Fathauer Roxbom, Primary Examiner-Evon C. Blunk [73] Assignee: Midland-Ross Corporation, Assistant Examiner-James Rowland Cleveland, Ohio Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Woodrow Portz [22] Filed: July 26, 1973 [57] ABSTRACT [21] Appl' 382,869 Disclosed is a longitudinally extendable spreader which is constructed for receiving and being thus con- 521 (LS 1 294 7 DA, 214/ 20 294 31 51: nected with the fork of a fork-lift carrier at a level 51 Int. Cl B66f 9/00 within the Spreader j in the clear of the p of a 53 Field f Search 294 1 SF, 81 R, 7 R, container interlocked with the spreader. The spreader 294 7 A, 7 B, 7 D, 7 214 20 1 is constructed in one portion directly supported by the carrier and another turntable portion pivotally carried 5 R feren Cited on the first portion to permit angular adjustments of the load about a vertical axis.

12 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENIED (1863.970

SHEEI 1 [IF 2 FORK TRUCK SPREADER FOR CARGO CONTAINERS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Many consignees, shippers, and other handlers of cargo containers may not have, or have in sufficient quantity, the specialized containerhandling equipment usually found at terminals and the like, but may have carriers such as heavy fork-lift trucks, which may be utilized as containerhandling vehicles when provided with spreaders adapted for quick connection with such vehicles. Spreaders adapted for use by fork-lift trucks are commercially available but are unsatisfactory for the reason that much of the vertical lifting range of the vehicle is sacrificed through the structural arrangement of the spreader. The construction of the spreaders now generally available for fork-lift use require that the fork of the vehicle be inserted into the spreader at a considerable height above the plane of the latches for interlocking with a container. In this way, much ofthe lifting range of the spreader is lost. Even more of the range is lost if the spreader is designed for horizontal angling of the load with respect to the carrier vehicle.

Thus, a principal object of this invention is to provide spreaders which are especially adapted for use with large-fork-lift trucks or other carriers providing a cantilever boom for connecting the spreader with the carrier.

It is also an object ancillary to the object just recited to utilize the inherent load-carrying capabilities of such cantilever lifting type carriers in the most advantageous mode practical including horizontal angling of the load carried by the spreader to achieve more satisfactory pickup and placement of containers.

Another object is to construct a spreader in accordance with the foregoing objects capable of angling movements in a vertical plane relative to the carrier.

A further object is to provide a spreader in accordance with the above objects which is of lightweight construction through an efficient distribution of structural elements.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention achieves the above objects in a spreader for carriers having cantilever spreader support means extending horizontally outwardly from the carrier, such as the mast of a fork-lift truck, which is designed to permit the cantilever member, e.g., the lifting fork, of the carrier to assume a position within channel means of the spreader during operation in immediate upper juxtaposed position with the top of a container carried thereby. The spreader disclosed herein has a further highly advantageous feature residing in its structure enabling horizontal angling of the load relative to the carrier. In essence, the spreader comprises a base or platform frame for connecting directly with the cantilever support of the carrier, a skew frame resting on the platform through cooperating opposing bearing means mounted on both the platform and the frame and arranged in concentric relation with a normally vertical axis of rotation to permit a desired range of relative rotation of the frame. The skew frame is of generally horizontally rectangular configuration to provide portions at the four corners thereof having latching means disposed at a level below any lower surfaces of the platform frame enabling the spreader to interlock with a container at a level immediately underneath the base frame.

In a preferred form, the spreader is extendable to couple with containers of different lengths and has a skew frame which comprises a chassis pivotally connected to the platform frame and subframes which telescope into and out of the chassis and with respect to each other to enable handling, e.g., containers varying 20 to 40 feet in length.

A further feature of the spreader is in the provision of fork tine receiving receptacles of greater internal height than the tines enabling thereby a limited range of spreader angling in a vertical plane.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a plan view of a spreader in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the spreader shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the upper skew frame of the spreader shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the base or platform frame of the spreader shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 5 is an end view of a subframe included in the upper frame of the spreader of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 6 is an end view of the other subframe of the skew frame shown in FIGS. 1 to 3;

FIG. 7 is an elevation in section taken along line VII- VII of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 8 is an elevation in section taken along line VIII- VIII of FIG. 2.

Shown in the various figures of the drawing is a spreader 5 and various elements thereof especially adapted for use on a large fork-lift truck 'such as one having fork with tines spaced 9 feet apart center to center. As illustrated, the spreader is designed for interlocking with standard cargo containers varying from 20 feet to 40 feet in length. With special reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the spreader 5 comprises a platform frame 6 and a skew frame 7 located in upward crosswise relation with the platform frame and pivotable thereon frame about a normally vertical axis AA. As shown, the means of pivotal connection comprises a vertically aligned kingpin 9 fixed to a turntable chassis 10 of the skew frame 7 extending, in journal-bearing relationship, through a bearing 11 fixed to the platform 6 both coaxially aligned on axis AA. Pivotal connection of the frame and the platform further resides in bearing means in spaced concentric relation with the axis A--A in the form of downward-facing skid plates l4, l5, l6, 17 secured to the underside of the frame 7, i.e., the chassis 10, in engagement with upward-facing skid plates 18, 19, 20, 21 secured in a common horizontal plane to upper surface portions of transverse channel or box members 22, 23 for receiving the tines of a carrier fork not shown. As shown, the platform 6 also comprises longitudinal members 24, 25. Skid plates 18, 19 are spaced transversely of the frame from skid plates 21, 20, respectively, at the center-to-center distance of the longitudinal frame members 24, 25. The unitized construction of the frame 6 is otherwise reinforced by an intermediate transverse member 27 intermediate longitudinal member 63, and diagonal members 28, 29, 31, 32. Thus, the skid plates 18, 19 are in alignment with longitudinal member 24. Similarly, skid plates 20, 21 align with the longitudinal member 25. To be noted is that skid plates 18 to 21 are elongated in directions tangential to the axis A--A to provide the de' sired range of relative angular movement between the frames 6 and 7.

The skew frame comprises in addition to the chassis l subframes 35, 36 which are movable lengthwise of the chassis in opposite directions to either extend or reduce the length of the spreader in accordance with the length of the container to be handled. in the form shown, the chassis is approximately l8 /2 feet long and the subframes are approximately 19 A feet long. These dimensions allow the l8 /2 foot runner portions of the subframes to be approximately entirely stored within the chassis at the most shortened condition of the spreader. At the most expanded condition of the spreader, the runners are extended 10 feet outwardly of the chassis l0 and the subframes as a whole, which include end structures 35a, 36a of subframes 35, 36, are each extended slightly more than 10 V2 feet outwardly from, and in cantilever relation, with the chassis 10. The forces on the chassis entailed in cantilever support of the subframes are directly imposed on transverse l-beams 41, 42, 43, 44 of the chassis 10, through wearplate type bearings, such as bearings 46, 47 (see FIG. 7) attached to [beam 44 and bearings 48, 49 (see FIG. 8) attached to overhead l-beam 43. The bearings as shown are designed to sandwich the upper and lower horizontal flanges of each of the subframe runners and thus restrain the subframes from any appreciable sidewise and vertical movements.

As shown, the subframe 35 comprises runners 51, 52 of greater track spacing than runners 53, 54 of the subframe 36 to enable passage of runners 53, 54 into the region between runners 51, 52. In restricting the subframes 35, 36 to rectilinear movement, the outer lower transverse l-beams 41, 44 and the bearings associated therewith are loaded in a downward vertical direction by the respective subframes resting thereon. The upper transverse beams 42, 43 are loaded primarily in an upward direction, especially as the subframes are positioned increasingly longitudinally outwardly of the chassis 10 to interlock with containers which have greater length than the chassis. As both subframes 35, 36 have cross bracing between respective runners adjacent the lower flanges thereof, subframe 36 is supported at a higher level as shown within the chassis 10 to enable passage of its runners and cross bracing over the cross bracing of subframe 35.

As indicated above, an important feature of the spreader herein described is its capability for being horizontally angled while mounted on the carrier to maneuver the spreader for coupling with containers, or more easily position the containers when placing them on carrier platforms or in stacks, etc. Such angling is obtained when desired by rotation of the skew frame 7 relative to the platform 6 about the axis A-A by operation of a fluid cylinder and piston assembly 57 terminating in, e.g. eye portions which connect by pins with a clevis-piece 61 fixed to a central longitudinal frame member 63 of the platform 6, and a clevis-piece 62 attached to longitudinal frame member of one side of the chassis 10. The cylinder piston assembly 57 is double acting and easily actuated in either direction by liquid under pressure by control mechanisms well known.

The angle of skewing of the frame 7 relative to the platform 6 is in the approximate range such as indicated in FIG. 1 by angle M. This angle is twice the angle N which indicates the extent of skewing in one direction from the neutral longitudinal axis 8-8 with respect to the vertical axis A-A. In FIG. 1, end structures 35a, 36a are shown as having alternate positions 35a, 36a, respectively.

The subframes 35, 36 are adjusted lengthwise of the chassis 10 by elongate cylinder-piston assemblies 65, 66 supported on and secured to means, such as an beam 67, having its length parallel to the length of the skew frame 7 but in transverse centered relation therewith. As shown, the cylinder-piston assemblies 65, 66 have their longitudinal axes at opposite sides of the longitudinal vertical center plane of the skew frame or axis B-B. Piston rods 68, 69 of assemblies 65, 66, respectively, connect with respective subframes 36, 35, re-

spectively, in eye-clevis connections 71, 72 respectively. The assemblies 65, 66 are double acting and connected with a suitable fluid power source in a manner well known. As other mechanical means are available to the skilled for skewing and extending the spreader herein disclosed, the means disclosed herein are exemplary.

An important feature of the invention is the location of a plane C-C (see FIG. 2) typifying the plane of the top surface of a container locked to the spreader 5 by latches 75 in .close vertical juxtaposition with the forkreceiving channels 22, 23. Stated another way, the latches 75 are located at a level in close downward juxtaposition with the lower surfaces of the channels 22, 23 to enable maximum utilization of the lifting range of the fork of the carrier vehicle.

Referring now to the platform 6, the transverse channel or box members 22, 23 have internal height and width dimensions H and W, respectively, which enable the spreader to receive the fork of a carrier with the width of each tine conforming closely to dimension W,

. i.e., the width of either member 22, 23. The dimension H is preferably greater than the cross sectional height of the tines in order that there may be some opportunity for relative angular movement in a vertical direction between the carrier and the spreader to accommodate differences in the level of the carrier and the receiving surface for the container as the carrier positions the container thereon. Such vertical clearance between the fork and both members 22, 23 permit relative vertical angling within vertical planes which extend longitudinally as well as transversely of the skew frame. Such angling adjustment in conjunction with that afforded in a horizontal plane about the axis A-A make small ranges of universal angling adjustment possible in positioning and picking up cargo containers and, hence, contributes immensely to the effectiveness of fork-lift vehicles as container handling equipment.

in addition to the advantage just pointed out, the spreader herein described is of lightweight truss construction useful on a great number of fork-lift carriers presently in use. The spreader herein described, appar ently for the first time, makes possible the use of approximately the full lifting range of such carriers. Moreover, it has the great advantage of providing to the industry an expandable spreader for fork-lift trucks of compact design.

What is claimed is:

1. A cargo container spreader for a carrier having cantilever spreader-supporting means extending horizontally outwardly from the carrier comprising:

a platform frame comprising channel means for receiving said carrier supporting means in guide relation therewith, said platform frame having upward facing bearing means;

a skew frame arranged in overlying crosswise relation with the platform frame and having downward facing bearing means received by and resting on said upward facing bearing means, said bearing means being arranged in concentric relation with a normally vertical axis of rotation located centrally of both frames, said frames being connected for relative rotation about said axis;

said skew frame being of generally horizontally rectangular configuration and having means at the four corners thereof extending to the level below said platform frame and terminating in latching means for interlocking with a cargo container.

2. The cargo container spreader of claim 1 wherein:

said skew frame is longitudinally extendable and comprises a turntable chassis and two subframes supported by said chassis in telescoping relation therewith for movements in radially opposite paths relative to said axis to dispose portions of the subframes in varying degrees of cantilever relation with the chassis.

3. The cargo container spreader of claim 2 comprising:

power means connecting the platform frame with said chassis for effecting the relative rotation of said frames, and power means connecting each subframe with said chassis for moving said subframes along respective paths into and out of said chassis.

4. The cargo container spreader of claim 2 wherein:

said chassis and said subframes are substantially the same length and the subframes both telescope within the width, and substantially within the length, of said chassis.

5. The cargo container spreader of claim 1 wherein:

one of said frames comprises a kingpin and the other frame comprises a bearing in journal-bearing relation with the kingpin and fixed in respective frames in concentric relation with said axis.

6. The cargo container spreader of claim 1 comprising:

power means operatively positioned between and connecting with the two frames for effecting the relative rotation thereof.

7. The cargo container spreader of claim 1 wherein:

said connecting means comprises channel means adapted to receive the fork ofa mobile carrier, said channel means located on the underside of the platform frame along parallel lines extending transversely of the length of said skew frame when positioned in normal parallel alignment with said platform frame.

8. The cargo container spreader of claim 7 wherein:

said latching means comprises latches at the lower extremities thereof and said latches are located at a level in downward juxtaposition to a plane containing the lower surfaces of said channel means.

9. The cargo container spreader of claim 1 wherein:

said bearing means comprises pads on one frame received against elongate pads on the other frame, the latter being elongated in directions tangential to said axis to provide a desired range of relative rotation of the frames.

10. The cargo container spreader of claim 9 wherein:

said pads of the platform frame are positioned at four corners of a rectangle directly over said channel means.

11. The cargo container of claim 1 wherein:

each frame comprises a pair of longitudinal members of which the transverse spacing of said members of the skew frame is approximately equal to that of said members of the platform frame and disposed directly thereover at normal or parallel alignment of the frames; and

said bearing means are pads located in centered longitudinal alignment with respective adjacent longitudinal frame members with four of said pads on one frame and four elongate pads of said pads on the other frame in separate slidable engagement with said first mentioned pads, said secondmentioned pads being elongated in directions tangential to said axis to provide a desired range of relative rotation of the frames.

12. The cargo container spreader of claim 1 wherein:

the skew frame is longitudinally extendable and comprises a turntable chassis and two subframes supported by said chassis in telescoping relation therewith;

said subframes each comprising a pair of spaced parallel runners and cross bracing between lower portions of the runners;

the runners of one subframe being spaced more closely than the runners of the other subframe, and said one subframe being supported at a higher level within the chassis than the other subframe to enable passage of the runners of said one subframe between the runners and over the cross bracing thereof of said other subframe. 

1. A cargo container spreader for a carrier having cantilever spreader-supporting means extending horizontally outwardly from the carrier comprising: a platform frame comprising channel means for receiving said carrier supporting means in guide relation therewith, said platform frame having upward facing bearing means; a skew frame arranged in overlying crosswise relation with the platform frame and having downward facing bearing means received by and resting on said upward facing bearing means, said bearing means being arranged in concentric relation with a normally vertical axis of rotation located centrally of both frames, said frames being connected for relative rotation about said axis; said skew frame being of generally horizontally rectangular configuration and having means at the four corners thereof extending to the level below said platform frame and terminating in latching means for interlocking with a cargo container.
 2. The cargo container spreader of claim 1 wherein: said skew frame is longitudinally extendable and comprises a turntable chassis and two subframes supported by said chassis in telescoping relation therewith for movements in radially opposite paths relative to said axis to dispose portions of the subframes in varying degrees of cantilever relation with the chassis.
 3. The cargo container spreader of claim 2 comprising: power means connecting the platform frame with said chassis for effecting the relative rotation of said frames, and power means connectiNg each subframe with said chassis for moving said subframes along respective paths into and out of said chassis.
 4. The cargo container spreader of claim 2 wherein: said chassis and said subframes are substantially the same length and the subframes both telescope within the width, and substantially within the length, of said chassis.
 5. The cargo container spreader of claim 1 wherein: one of said frames comprises a kingpin and the other frame comprises a bearing in journal-bearing relation with the kingpin and fixed in respective frames in concentric relation with said axis.
 6. The cargo container spreader of claim 1 comprising: power means operatively positioned between and connecting with the two frames for effecting the relative rotation thereof.
 7. The cargo container spreader of claim 1 wherein: said connecting means comprises channel means adapted to receive the fork of a mobile carrier, said channel means located on the underside of the platform frame along parallel lines extending transversely of the length of said skew frame when positioned in normal parallel alignment with said platform frame.
 8. The cargo container spreader of claim 7 wherein: said latching means comprises latches at the lower extremities thereof and said latches are located at a level in downward juxtaposition to a plane containing the lower surfaces of said channel means.
 9. The cargo container spreader of claim 1 wherein: said bearing means comprises pads on one frame received against elongate pads on the other frame, the latter being elongated in directions tangential to said axis to provide a desired range of relative rotation of the frames.
 10. The cargo container spreader of claim 9 wherein: said pads of the platform frame are positioned at four corners of a rectangle directly over said channel means.
 11. The cargo container of claim 1 wherein: each frame comprises a pair of longitudinal members of which the transverse spacing of said members of the skew frame is approximately equal to that of said members of the platform frame and disposed directly thereover at normal or parallel alignment of the frames; and said bearing means are pads located in centered longitudinal alignment with respective adjacent longitudinal frame members with four of said pads on one frame and four elongate pads of said pads on the other frame in separate slidable engagement with said first mentioned pads, said second-mentioned pads being elongated in directions tangential to said axis to provide a desired range of relative rotation of the frames.
 12. The cargo container spreader of claim 1 wherein: the skew frame is longitudinally extendable and comprises a turntable chassis and two subframes supported by said chassis in telescoping relation therewith; said subframes each comprising a pair of spaced parallel runners and cross bracing between lower portions of the runners; the runners of one subframe being spaced more closely than the runners of the other subframe, and said one subframe being supported at a higher level within the chassis than the other subframe to enable passage of the runners of said one subframe between the runners and over the cross bracing thereof of said other subframe. 